Steam and vacuum pump.



Patented Aug. 20, I900.

A. G. WATERHUUSE. STEAM AND VACUUM PUMP.

(Application filed Aug. 17. 1900.) (No Model.)

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ADDISON G. WATERI-IOUSE, OF SPRINGFIELD TOYVNSHIP, PENNSYLVANIA.

STEAM AND VACUUM PUMP.

. SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 680,950, dated August 20, 1901.

Application filed August 1'7, 1900. Serial No. 27,232. (No model.)

To aQZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ADDISON G. WATER- HOUSE, a citizen of the United States, residing in the township of Springfield, county of Delaware and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Steam and Vacuum Pumps, of which'the followingis a specification.

My invention relates to that class of steam and vacuum pumps into which water is admitted or drawn by means of a partial vacuum produced by the condensation of steam and from which it is forced under pressure by being directly displaced by steam; and it consists of means by which automatic action is produced and heat employed in the form of steam is conserved and used over again, whereby a greater degree of efficiency, simplicity of construction, and economy of operation is secured.

In order to better describe my invention, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings, in which I Figure 1 is an elevation in section of an apparatus embodying all of the elements involved. Fig. 2 shows a modified form of apparatus.

Fig. 1 shows an apparatus consisting of a pumping-tank E, into which Water is drawn by means of a partial vacuum formed in E by steam being condensed therein, which causes water to be drawn from a source of supply, (represented by A,) which water is lifted through the check-valve B and pipe 0, then into the float-box D and up into the pumpingtank E until it is filled. Then steam is let 011 from asteam-boiler leading through pipe -S, automatic steam-valve V, and pipe S to the top of tank E at K. The pressure of this steam forces the water down from tank E through the float-box D, pipe C, check-valve F, and up the stand-pipe G to a place of discharge (represented by H) at a pressure corresponding to the pressure at which steam enters the tank E. After the water has all been expelled from E the steam which displaced it is condensed and these operations are repeated. The automatic steam-valve V is composed of an outer shell made of two parts V and V. Between them is clamped a flexible diaphragm V so that a closed recoss is formed on each side of it. On its upper side is placed a movable plate V from which extends a valve-rod V having at its upper end a valve V, which closes the steam passage leading from the steem-pipe S into the upper recess, which also has an outletpassage leading to the steam-pipe S. In the other recess underthe diaphragm V is another movable plate V which has a stem V surrounded by a pressure-spring V, which is backed up by the lowerinterior of this recess, so that the expansive force of this spring V presses against the plate V which bulges the diaphragm V upward and raises the plate V valve-rod V and, its valve V, so that its steam port or passage is closed with a pressure equal to the force exerted by the spring V, which is sufficient to keep the passage closed against any pressure entering through pipe S. The operation of this apparatus is as follows: It being assumed that the tank E is filled with water, in this condition a limited quantity of water is permitted to return under pressure from stand-pipe G through the condensing-pipe J into the top of tank E, the pressure of which would be imparted to all parts of E, and also through the steam-pipe S into the recess V of the valve V or above its diaphragm V This pressure would bulge the diaphragm downward and overcome the pressure of the spring V, which would allow plate V rod V and valve V to drop and admit steam through the pipe S, through the valve V and pipe S,-into the top of the pumping-tank E, and the pressure of this steam would keep the diaphragm down, so that the Valve would remain open. The pressure of this steam would also check any more water from entering through pipe J, and by bearing upon the surface of the water in E would 7 force it down through the float-box D, checkvalve F, and up the stand-pipe G. After the surface of the water is forced down into the float-box D, as shown, the' float D falls and through its pivoted lever D raises a small valve D which opens a passage D leading through a tube P into the closed recess V of valve V, and the pressure transmitted from the float-box D through the tube P into the recess V presses upward on the diaphragm V and counteracts the pressure of steam above the diaphragm, so that the spring V can force it up and close the valve V.

Then as more steam is prevented from entering the tank E condensation immediately follows, which, slightly lowering the pressure in E,allows a limited quantity of water, which is regulated by the cock J, to return from pipe G through the pipe J into the top of tank E, which condenses the steam in Eand forms a partial vacuum, which causes E to refill with water from the source of supply A when the float D is again raised, the small valve D closed, and the upward pressure removed from under the diaphragm V so that the pressure caused by water again returning through pipe J will again open the steam-valve V, and these operations will be repeated.

Fig. 2 shows a form ofapparatus adapted for conserving the heat imparted through the steam, so that the same heat can be retained and used continually. In this apparatus E is the pumping-tank from which water is forced by being displaced by steam and into which water is drawn by a partial vacuum formed by the condensation of the steam. The steam is let on and shut oii' automatically by means of the valve V, and the steam is condensed by a limited quantity of water returning under pressure through the condensing-pipe J into the top of the tank E, as before described. The water which becomes heated in tank E is forced by the steam into a second or supplementary tank or tanks W by being forced from the bottom of E up through pipe W into the top of tank W, while a like volume of cold water is forced from tank W out through pipe and up through the check-valve F and stand-pipe G. Then as the steam in E is being condensed the hot water is drawn back from the top of \V into tank E until it is filled, while a like volume of cold water is drawn up from the source of supply A. through the check-valve B and pipe 0 into W. In this way the hot water moves back and forward between tanks E and W, so that its heat is retained and a corresponding saving is effected in the condensation of steam by the water, while the same volume of cold water is drawn in and forced out of tank W, so that but little heat is carried away by the transient water. The cfficiency of this form of apparatus is only limited by the degree of heat to which the water in the pumping-tank can be retained and still produce a vacuum sufficient to raise or admit the water from the level or pressure due to its source of supply to the pumping-tank E, and this will vary as the level of the source of supply may be above or below the tank E; so in order to keep the temperature of the water in E down to a working limit more or less water is allowed to return or flow to the tank E through the pipe J. The second or supplemental-tank or tanks W may be provided with baffle-plates R for preventing the circulation of water, so that the hot water flowing in and out at the top of tank W will not mix to any great extenfwith the col [1 water flowing in and out at the bottom of W, or the tank W can be made much longer and of greater capacity than tank E, so that the hot may be kept from the cold water by stratification, or but one tank may be used and that made comparatively long and arranged so that the steam will be let on or shut off, so as to displace water from only the upper part of the tank while cold water passes in and out at its bottom, and the hot and cold waters are kept separated by the difference between their specific gravities due to their temperatures, the main object being to keep the hot and cold water separated, so that the amount of heat carried away by the water drawn from the source of supply A and forced up the stand-pipe G will be reduced to a minimum.

There are numerous ways by which the automatic steam-valveV can be made to shut off the steam in tank E as the water is forced to any level or part of the apparatus, one way being shown in Fig. 1. Another way is shown in Fig. 2, consisting of a closed pipe or chamber P, placed in the water-pipe at TV and connected by the tube P to the valve V, as described, so that the chamber P, tube P, and compartment of the valve V will all be water-tight. Then if P is filled with water or fluid no pressure will be transmitted from P to the valve V while water is passing around it and through the pipe W but as soon as the last of the water and first of the steam rises in the pipe at W then water or fluid in P will be heated to steam or vapor, which will produce a pressure in P, which will be transmitted through the tube P to the valve V and close off the steam, as described.

I do not confine myself to the construction shown in the steam-valve V, for in place of a flexible diaphragm a movable piston may be used, and in place of the inclosed spring a pivoted lever can be used, through which a spring or weight can be made to act upon eithera flexible diaphragm or a movable piston through which the steam-valve can be acted upon.

The condensing-water passing through the pipe J need. not necessarily be taken from the stand-pipe G, but may be drawn from the tank to which G leads or from any source from which water can be secured under a pressure which will not exceed the pressure at which the steam is conducted from a steam-boiler to the pumping-tank E.

What I claim as my invention is 1. A steam and vacuum pump, consisting of a pumping-tank; a passage provided with a check-valve, leading from a source of sup ply to the pumping-tank; a passage provided with a check-valve, leading from the pumping-tank to a place of discharge or delivery; a condensing-water pipe for conducting a limited volume of water, under pressure, to the upper part of the pumping-tank; a steampipe leading from a source of steam-supply to the pumping-tank an automatic steam-valve as described, placed in the steam-pipe; a pressure-tube leading from the pumping-tank to one compartment of the steam-valve, and avalve actuated by a float, or means by which a pressure will be transmitted from the tank to a part of the steam-valve, whereby steam will be let onto and shut off from the pumping-tank to accord with extreme rise and fall of water therein, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. A steam and vacuum pump, consisting of a pumping-tank having passages and valves as described, whereby water is drawn from a source of supply to the pumping-tank, and then forced therefrom to a place of delivery; and by which a limited volume of condensing- Water is conducted under pressure, to the pumping-tank; and also by which steam is conducted from a source of steam-supply to the pumping-tank; and an automatic steamvalve, as described, placed in the steam-pipe, provided with a pressure-tube leading from the pumping-tank to one compartment of the steam-valve; the valve and tube possessing the elements and mechanism described, whereby steam is let on to and shut oil from the pn mping-tan k, to accord with the extreme rise and fall of water therein, substantially as described.

3. A steam and vacuum pump, consisting of a pumping-tank; a passage provided with a check-valve leading from a source of supply to the pumping-tank; a passage provided with a check-Valve leading from the pumping-tank to a place of delivery; a condensing-waterpipe, leading from a source from which water may be secured under pressure to the pumpingtank; a steam-pipe leading from a source of steam-supply to the pumping-tank; an automatic steam-valve placed in the steam-pipe, consisting of a shell divided into two closed compartments, by a flexible diaphragm, or movable piston; one compartment having a valveseated inlet-passage, and an out1etpassage; the inlet-passage being closed by a valve supported by the flexible diaphragm or movable piston backed up by a spring or lever in a way adapted for keeping the valve closed on its seat; the other compartment having a tube leading therefrom to the pumping-tank, provided with the elements or mechanism as described for transmitting a pressure from the tank to that part of the valve, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. The automatic steam-valve, consisting of two outer shells, having a flexible diaphragm clamped between them, whereby two separate closed compartments are formed; one compartment being provided with a valveseated steam-inlet, and a steam-outlet, the inlet being closed by a valve backed up by the flexible diaphragm, so that the valve will be opened and closed with the movement of the diaphragm; the other compartment being provided with an expansion-spring or means by which the diaphragm is bulged in the direction for closing the valve and also with a tube or passage through which a pressure can be transmitted to this compartment, whereby a pressure created in the compartment containing the valve will bulge the diaphragm in a way to cause the valve to open, while a coun terbalancing pressure transmitted to the other compartment will allow the spring or other means employed to bulge the diaphragm in a way to close the valve, substantially as set forth.

5. In a steam and vacuum pump, the combination of a pumping-tank, having a supple mentary extension, or a supplementary tank, with a passage having a check-valve, leading from a source of supply to the supplementary part of the pumping-tank, and a passage hav ing a check-valve leading from such supple mentary part, to a place of delivery; a condensing-water pipe for conducting a limited volume of water under pressure to the pumping-tank; a steam-pipe leading from a. source of steam-supply t0 the pumping-tank; an au tomatic steam-valve placed in the steam-pipe; a tube leading from the pumping-tank or from the supplementary part thereof to a part of the steam-valve, with the means or elements for transmitting a pressure from the pumping-tank to a part of the steam-valve when the surface of the water in the pumping-tank or in the supplementary part thereof falls to any predetermined level; whereby the heated water alternates between the pumping-tank and the supplementary part thereof, while the cold water is drawn into and forced from the supplementary part, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. In a steam and vacuum pump; the combination of a pumping-tank, having a supplementary extension; with baffle-plates, or means for preventing the circulation of water, within the supplementary extension; a passage, provided with a check-valve, leading from a source of supply, to the supplementary part of the pumping-tank, andapassage leadleading therefrom to a place of delivery, being also provided with a check-valve; a condensing-water pipe, adapted for conducting a limited volume of water under pressure to the pumping-tank; a steam-pipe leading from a source of steam-supply to the pumping-tank; an automatic steam-valve placed in the steampipe; a tube leading from the pumping-tank, or its supplementary extension, to a part of the steam-valve, with the means and elements for transmitting a pressure from the pumping-tank to a part of the steam-valve, when the surface of the water in the pumping-tank, or in the supplementary part thereof; falls to a predetermined level; substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

ADDISON G. VVATERHOUSE.

Witnesses:

GEO. L. G. WATERHOUSE, W. S. WATSON.

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